Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for impersonating a police officer in Minnesota. It upgrades the base offense to a felony (up to 2 years in jail or $4,000 fine) and creates a new crime for impersonating while carrying a firearm (up to 10 years in jail or $20,000 fine). The bill also requires anyone pretending to be a law enforcement officer to identify themselves when asked and imposes harsher penalties if they commit other crimes while impersonating an officer (e.g., a misdemeanor becomes a gross misdemeanor). It directly affects individuals who falsely pose as police officers, including those using fake uniforms, vehicle markings, or equipment to mimic law enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Business Regulation and Land Ownership within Minnesota's Department of Agriculture. The office will investigate monopolies and consolidation in agriculture-related businesses, such as those producing food, seeds, and chemicals, while also tracking how agricultural land is being bought by individuals, corporations, and other organizations. To carry out these tasks, the office will employ a director with expertise in antitrust and property law, along with staff including lawyers and economists, and must submit biennial reports to state legislators. The legislation also authorizes funding from the state's general budget to establish and operate this new office.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a previous exemption that allowed large data centers to avoid paying sales and use taxes on their equipment and software. It directly affects businesses building or operating data centers in Minnesota by requiring them to pay standard taxes on purchases like servers, computers, and related materials. The legislation defines a "qualified large-scale data center" as a facility with at least 25,000 square feet and a total investment of $250 million in construction and technology over a six-year period. Additionally, the bill removes a special reduction in state funding for special education that was previously tied to the data center tax exemption. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026, ensuring that data center projects contribute to state revenue like other commercial developments.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals in Minnesota to request changes or additions to the sex indicators on their birth and death records, including options beyond just male or female. For adults and emancipated minors, the state health commissioner must approve these requests if supported by medical documentation, a court order, or a sworn statement of good faith. The legislation also permits parents or guardians to make these changes for minors and requires courts to grant such petitions when there is no intent to defraud. Additionally, the bill mandates that once a birth record is updated, the original document becomes private data that cannot be disclosed without a court order.

Maddy summaryHF 5149 restricts law enforcement from making civil immigration arrests at court facilities and surrounding areas to protect individuals attending legal proceedings. The bill defines 'civil arrest' as taking someone into custody for immigration violations and explicitly prohibits this action within courthouses, parking lots, and nearby sidewalks. It also establishes protections for court companions, such as family members and advocates, by extending these arrest restrictions to anyone accompanying a person to court. Additionally, the legislation modifies laws related to concealing identity and expands investigations into police use of force.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's gambling laws by increasing the maximum cash prize for paddle tickets from $70 to $200 and raising the maximum ticket price from $2 to $5. It directly affects gambling organizations that sell paddle tickets, which are a type of lottery game. The changes are made to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 349.211, subdivision 2b, which governs paddlewheel prizes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies prize and ticket limits for paddlewheel gambling in Minnesota. It directly affects organizations that operate paddlewheel games by changing the maximum cash prize to $70 and setting a merchandise prize limit at $200 fair market value. The legislation also increases the maximum ticket price from $2 to $5. These changes update Minnesota Statutes 349.211, subdivision 2b to reflect the new gambling regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Metropolitan Council to sell transit-related merchandise, food, and beverages at retail locations, online, and within transit stations in seven specific Minnesota counties. The legislation allows the council to partner with private entities to help market and manage these sales. Any money earned from these sales must be used to fund improvements for the region's transportation capital projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces new regulations in Minnesota to restrict the ownership and sale of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, while also banning the sale of binary trigger systems. It expands criminal penalties for possessing dangerous weapons in schools and for negligently storing firearms, and it specifically criminalizes the manufacture and sale of untraceable "ghost guns." Additionally, the legislation strengthens the state's extreme risk protection order system, requires law enforcement to report firearm discharges more comprehensively, and allocates funding to support public awareness campaigns and mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for student support personnel in Minnesota schools by raising the per-pupil allowance amounts and establishing minimum funding floors for districts and charter schools. It directly affects independent school districts, special districts, charter schools, and cooperative units by adjusting how much money they receive for staff like counselors, nurses, and social workers. The law sets specific dollar amounts for the per-student allowance in 2025, 2026, 2027, and beyond, while also requiring districts to reserve funds in their balances and limiting cooperative aid to actual expenditures. Additionally, the bill appropriates state money to cover these increased funding levels for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.